What about today’s conflicts?

About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” When they heard this they were enraged. . . . the city was filled with the confusion. . . . some cried out one thing, some another. . . . the assembly was in confusion. . . .  for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”. . . . the town clerk quieted the crowd, he said. . . . “the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis. . . .  these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. . . . . For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. (Acts 19:30–41)

These days with certain leaders part of great conflicts, I’m encouraged by this passage. The Christians were threatened because the idol makers were afraid their business was in danger. This was not a battle about truth, but about money. However, it was settled by a third party who simple suggested if the idol was in control, they had nothing to worry about. 

He didn’t say “If Paul’s message is true, you better pay attention” yet that pops into my mind as I’m hearing both sides of a debate over one leader. Some say he is right and has a righteous plan, and others say he is deranged and destructive. With this story, the solution is not to riot over it, or let personal fears cause conflict. For Christians, the solution is to trust God. In this event, the believers were taken captive but they did not retaliate or even verbally respond. And how did God rescue them? He sent an unnamed town clerk who reminded the fearful idol worshipers to do things lawfully rather than be charged with rioting over something they could not justify.

In other words, the Christians were not breaking any laws. What does that tell me? Behave during these current events just as they did. Let the opposition to righteousness do whatever they are doing and let God take care of His people and take care of those who are more worried about money and their reputation, etc. than about their accountability to God. He will use whatever method needed to keep His promises to care for His people.

Lord, when I saw the topic for today, at first I didn’t see what it had to do with me, but today we are spending time with a person that thinks the idol worshippers in world leadership are going to win. My reaction was to oppose that notion, but now see that I just need to trust You. You will do whatever is right and I do not need to say anything or try to prove that these leaders are far more interested in self and power than they are in blessing others. Grant me the grace to stay silent. You are sovereign and always love and protect Your children. In this case, I don’t need to say a word. Amen. 

 

Speak up or shut up?

And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” (John 12:44–50)

Watchman Nee wrote that God had to teach him to shut up, and then teach him to speak up. I relate. This verse explains the shut up part: 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

In some ways and for some people, saying nothing is easier than saying the right thing. However, when I think that way, it is about avoiding what might happen to me rather than what my self-centered words might do to those who hear them. Not like Jesus. 

Speaking up is from a different source and for the opposite reasons. It is about saying what God wants people to hear. Doing this might take time and discernment, but if filled with the Holy Spirit, the words come out — and sometimes make me shake my head and wonder “where did that come from?”

For example, a young man asked how he could sleep well. I blurted, “The Bible says there is no rest for the wicked, so you have to first get rid of the wicked.” While I felt like an idiot for saying it, he responded so well that I realized that was a Holy Spirit word he needed to hear.

Other times the speaking up part takes thoughtful prayer and not saying anything until certain that my words are from Him and not my own. Sometimes the easiest way to tell is by knowing they are biblical and recognizing that my old nature does not want to say them.

Jesus, You didn’t have that old nature giving You ‘corrupting talk’ or confusing talk. Yet Your example has great value. By my words, I can edify others — if they are words given to me by Your Spirit and not from me. Help me always to know the difference.

Going Deeper in Body Parts, Gifting, and Silence

 

These days some of my body parts interfere with the performance of others. For example, I have one ear that occasional has an unnatural movement of inner parts and it makes my feet have trouble walking. Easy to fix but annoying because it happens without warning. I can easily see why the Bible compares the Christian church to the human a body: 

As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. (1 Corinthians 12:20–25)

Sometimes I notice how important it is to give special treatment to the less honorable parts than is needed by those who are more presentable. That is, some believers are not naturally attractive to others, but because we love one another, that kind of attitude makes those less honorable parts more attractive. God does this in gifting all, including them.

I think of those who are physically and mentally gifted and how easily they can be treated differently than those who are not. Yet the few who are not gifted in those ways are often more friendly, kinder, more thankful, even quicker to serve, even to do the tasks others find less appealing. This is one of the beauties of belonging to the family of God; He puts us in positions that work together, like a body in which all parts are needed.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:27–31)

Of course that more excellent way is the love that God gives so we can care about each other no matter our function and no matter if we are naturally appealing in appearance or personality. Love overrides abilities, prophetic or theological knowledge, even faith and extreme generosity. 1 Corinthians 13 is almost as familiar as John 3:16 — and the love of God is so vital.

The next chapter is not so popular. It says to desire gifts and puts the ability to speak for God over speaking in tongues, mostly because the first is given to built up others, while tongues is said to “built up self” — then adds that interpreters are needed and women are to be silent. This makes for lots of arguments and some Christian women accuse Paul of all sorts of things.

As I read chapters 12-14 in a chunk, it occurred to me that part of that Ephesians passage about marriage should reflect the relationship of Jesus and His bride, it seems to be hinted here too. The bride/body of Christ is to honor her husband like the church should honor the Lord. That includes letting God beautify our less attractive parts (we all have them), loving one another, and giving honor to the men in our lives by appreciating their leadership just as the church respects the leading of Christ. And no one can lead without followers.

In a big picture sense, all things done in order (14:40) has to be initiated and led by the Spirit of God. If God is not telling me to say anything, then I must be silent, including tongues or even asking questions. This illustrates how the church relates to Christ. True that in those days most women were not educated in theology, but rather than make this a cultural issue, I see it more of a “support the one God gave to lead me” and encourage him to do it by obeying what God says. Had Eve done that, we would have such different lives.

PRAY: Jesus, I know that both women and men have this desire to rule, to be the boss of our lives. Letting You lead us may be scary, but the issue is not usually fear but “I think I know better than you do” defiance. Your ways are not my ways and so often my ways resist You. I might even echo Eve with, “Did God say that?” instead of quoting You and letting You speak. Not only that, I cannot hear You if my mouth continually spouts off my own thoughts and ideas. Keep teaching me what obeying You really means. Amen. 

When God is silent…

 

A Christian group I once was part of is celebrating their anniversary. They asked me to create a short video of my memories and relationship with that group. As I thought about what to say, I could not think of anything. I prayed about it and realized it would not be right to speak of my service or accomplishments. I prayed some more and nothing came. Finally, I bowed out, and realize that God didn’t give me anything to say to or about this group. This passage came to mind:

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Philippians 3:12–16)

The ‘it’ or ‘goal’ in these verses is about being like Jesus and doing the will of God. When in that group, that was not always my focus. After a few years, God took me out of it and led me in other directions that would further His purposes. Looking back, that is easy to see now but not then.

However, I know now that ‘pressing on’ is not about success in a particular effort or anything else other than the work of God in my life and holding on to what He is teaching me. This group is looking for memories and stories related to my experiences that would highlight the group. This puts my focus off the work of Jesus and His goal of transforming me and giving Him glory. Not that it is wrong to be thankful or talk about it, yet God didn’t remind me of anything that should be said.

Besides that, “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal” is my current desire and challenge. Not only do I easily forget the stories and experiences that are about me, my focus is on what is happening now, not back then. I must hang on to what God has taught me and move on. Perhaps  those in the group need to hear that admonition, but they did not ask me for anything like that. I can only apologize that the stories they want are but a very faint blur in my memories.

One of today’s readings says not to choose to be a speaker for God. If He calls me to do it, then do whatever He says, but keep listening to Him, not following my natural inclinations. In this case, the former me would have jumped at the chance to speak to that group. I held many leadership positions, led sessions, organized events, but such talk would easily be me, me, me, as that was most of my motivation then, without much thought of glorifying the Lord. Not only that, some of my experiences seemed negative to me; they don’t want a video about my bad attitudes, nor do they want a ‘sermon’ addressing the problems I inwardly complained about. No wonder God didn’t give me anything to say!

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4–7)

And love also learns that there are times to keep one’s mouth shut.

PRAY: Jesus, dozens of years ago, I would love the center of attention and an opportunity to share my stories, but the lovely thing about walking with You is that those stories about me fade into nothing and my memories are becoming more about Your grace and power to use all things to change my focus and put it on You. I’ve no desire to be put on a pedestal or given a few minutes of fame. Thank You for Your silence. It tells me that there are times for me to also be silent.

Speak up? Or Shut up?

 

 

READ James 1–5

It’s easy to talk too much — or too little. It’s difficult to say the right thing at the right time and be sure of it. Yet God gives instruction about talking with some of it in today’s reading. For instance:

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God . . . . If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. (James 1:19–20; 26)

Watchman Nee’s devotional tells of God teaching him to be quiet, then teaching him to speak up. This makes a person feel like a pretzel yet I realize it isn’t about me figuring out what to say and when to say it, but learning to listen to the Holy Spirit and letting Him prompt me to either be quiet or say what He puts on my heart.

That said, James makes it clear that mere talk has little value if my life does not match it. He says, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:14–17)

Mere words can be well meant but useless, even put people off. We all do it. James says:

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. (James 3:2)

He illustrates with guiding horses with small bits and ships with small rudders to indicate the power of the tongue, and how we easily tame other things but cannot tame our tongues. We even bless the Lord and yet curse people He created. This should not happen. (James 3:2–10)

Jesus said that what I say comes from my heart. James says the same thing. Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in my heart will produce boasting, disorder and vile behavior, but God’s wisdom is “pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” A self-centered heart leads to spats and other problem because it produces sinful stuff out of my mouth. (James 3:13–18; 4:1–3)

Satan is a liar and destructive. God warns against being the devil’s advocate. Instead, I am to “Submit to God and resist the devil, and he will flee” and keep my hands and heart clean rather than be double-minded or wanting to serve God but also wanting my own way. This will show up in my speech! (James 4:7–8)

This reading also tells me not to talk “evil against one another” as if I have any right to judge others. (James 4:11–12) It warns me not to boast about my plans too, as if I “know what tomorrow will bring.” This is ‘playing God’ and is evil. James adds, “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” which is a warning that includes speech too, for if He gives me something to say and I don’t say it, that is a sin of omission. (James 4:13–17)

Another instruction is that I must mean what I say without making an oath about it. Oaths suggest that words without oaths might be iffy, but putting an oath to it is insurance. A godly person should always speak truth without any suggestion that an oath is needed. (James 5:12)

From all this, it is clear that God wants me to keep my heart clean, listen to Him and say only what He wants me to say, always on guard against selfish reasons for opening my mouth. Simple sounding but this takes a lot of learning, of paying attention to what is in my heart and to what God says. It means time in His Word so I know His thoughts and am aware of His voice when He tells me to speak up or shut up . . . and will say what He says rather than listen to and repeat anything else. Challenging lessons!